How I achieved excellent discipline in the classroom at an all age school

Let me begin by stating the benefits of this method to my students:

1. They were happy and polite students.
2. My Grade 7B read better and louder than all other classes combined at devotion.
3. Towards the end of the term they could plan and enjoy a concert while I marked their exam papers.
4. They did not disturb the classes around them.  There was no fighting or quarrelling.  They danced and sang just loud enough to be heard in their classroom.
5. Excellent discipline enables students to have more fun and find school more enjoyable.

Benefits to the Teacher


I remember a time early in my teaching career, when for reasons beyond my control I was unable to attend school for a day.  The next day I went and apologized to the principal for being absent the previous day.  To my surprise he replied, "You were not absent from school yesterday."  I was perplexed at his response till the truth of what happened emerged.


As it turned out, the principal had gone to the classroom and had seen all the students working quietly, and had assumed I was not far away.  This is because, realizing I was not present, the form captain had set the class work to do from their textbooks.


As a result of this system you will find that among other things:

1. The teacher will enjoy teaching the students and look forward to seeing them.
2. The teacher will not have to discipline the children after the first month of using the system, just a few times after the first week.

An older teacher once told me of this system of achieving excellent discipline.  He said it was so simple that other teachers did not believe him.  I also found that people who I thought would understand me did not believe me.  At the school that I have referred to where the system was fully employed, other teachers said I was "lucky to have such wonderful children".


How I achieved the above mentioned results.


Listed below is what the teacher told me:

1. Let the students understand the kind of discipline you want from the first second you enter the classroom.
2. Do not smile or joke with them at this point.  You will be able to do all of this after the first month.
3. Let them know that anyone who speaks out of turn, or gives trouble in any way will get detention.  If they continue they will get a second one.  After a third infraction explain that they will have to see the principal, or the dean of discipline.  When dealing with such students some teachers may want to give up and say that it does not work.  Never back down on anything you say.  The other students will be watching.  You may need to speak with the principal and the dean of discipline about your plans and ask for their cooperation.
4. Reassure the sensitive, well behaved students that they will always be happy in your class.
5. Keep up this method of discipline for one month.

I remember that teachers around me were saying that I did not have to discipline for everything, but I did.

The results will always be amazing.  After the first week, just one or two students will try to test you.  Never lower your standards.  Both teachers and students will enjoy the results for the rest of the year.


Drawbacks to this method

1. It will not work if you have taught that class before and they know you as a "soft" teacher.
2. It is more difficult to apply in high schools without the cooperation of the principal.  It works best in primary or preparatory schools, where one teacher teaches the students most of the subjects.
3. Teachers of practical subjects such as music or art who teach several different classes, should not use this method without the assistance of the principal and the class teachers.

Students who learn to respect authority in this way, will be more inclined to respect the laws of the land in later years.